Pakistan’s economic crisis likely to worsen after passing of IMF-dictated budget, rise in fuel prices
The Finance (Supplementary) Bill, 2023, was tabled last week, on February 15, in line with measures required to secure the next IMF loan tranche of USD 1.1 billion
Wickremesinghe’s new year gift to Sri Lanka: more austerity measures
As the government attempts to obtain a bailout from the IMF, it has imposed a series of austerity measures which have been widely condemned by trade unions and civil society
Sri Lankan prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigns amid massive outrage
The PM resigned shortly after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters in Colombo, leading to over 150 injuries. Later in the day, violence broke out in many parts of the country
With IMF in the picture, Sri Lanka’s public health sector faces a new crisis
Which the current economic crisis has had a disastrous impact on the health sector, the conditions that will be imposed as part of a possible IMF deal could bring about long-term structural challenges
Who is Gotabaya Rajapaksa: The man who brought all of Sri Lanka to the streets
A profile of the soldier-turned-politician Gotabaya Rajapaksa, whose current regime has been under fire as the country’s economic crisis begins to take the shape of a humanitarian crisis
Sri Lanka deploys army to distribute fuel amid the country’s worst economic crisis in decades
The decision to deploy military personnel comes after Sri Lanka reported four deaths in 48 hours in fuel queues this week as people lined up for hours outside filling stations after a sudden hike in prices of essential commodities.
Pakistan’s Imran Khan govt. struggles with political crisis and IMF negotiations amid mass discontent
The Pakistani government’s discussions with the IMF have hit a roadblock after it reduced fuel prices and announced a tax amnesty. Meanwhile, opposition parties have called for a no-confidence motion
Nepal approves US’ Millennium Challenge Corporation grant amid protests. What’s next?
Weeks of instability in the Nepali parliament finally resulted in the ratification of the USD 500 million grant deal with US agency Millennium Challenge Corporation. This was preceded by massive protests by political parties that are opposing the government’s deal, viewing it as a threat to Nepal’s sovereignty